Small birds are difficult to photograph and the smallest are even more so since they are usually hyperactive. In winter Wrens have a really tough time. When I find them it is often near to water - streams and rivers. No doubt it is food related. This individual was feeding at the waterline although I could not see the prey as it was too small. Fortunately it did a feeding loop so it gave me a chance to anticipate where it might land. Even so, in January there's not much light to stop that motion.

Dippers are ever present in our area unless the rivers are in spate; certainly the cold does not put them off. When you think about it, flowing water is always above zero centigrade even when the air temperature is below.​They get ready to breed early in the year, establishig pair, although they often wait until they feel conditions are right before lining the nest and laying a clutch. I have found this indididual to be unusually approachable so we have been "enjoying" once another's presence. You can see that I have caught it in mid poop. Of course we are always looking out for Dipper poop on the rocks in streams to confirm that the birds are in residence.

Author

Eric & Lesley McCabePerth, Scotland.Having both worked in the computer industry for a number of years we now have time to devote to our passion, namely wildlife photography. We like all subjects but usually concentrate on birds throughout the year, buttterflies and Dragonflies in the warmer months and moths sporadically.